Improvement in can-openers



'Nm17&1M.

E.MQBURCHARR CAN-OPENER. 4

Patented Feb, 8; 1876.

PETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPNER, WAHINGTON, D C

UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE] EDWARDS M. BUROHARD, OF WASHINGTON,DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN-CAN-OPENERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 173,] 1 0, datedFebruary 8,1876; application filed I January 17, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARDS M. BURCH--Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts.

A represents a handle, which may be made of either wood or metal, andwhich is terminated at its end by the metal blade B. This blade B isformed with a sharp edge, peculiarly adapted to the cutting of ting-prother sheet metal. D is a second handle,'to which the handle A isattached by a screw or other pivot bolt, 0, as shown. This handle D isformed with an edge, 0., against which the knife B works, giving therebya clean shearout to the metal of the can.

The operation of my improved implement is as follows: The handle A isgrasped by the right hand, and its terminal blade B forced into the can.The handle D is then extended 'upon the surface of the can, in a line atright angles to the plane of the handle A, as shown in Fig. 1. The lefthand is now placed upon the handle D to steady the same upon the can,the handle A brought down, and the bladeB forced up against the edge aand through the meta This operation is repeated, the handle D being-gradually moved. around the top of the can until it is opened to thedesired extent. V Thisimplement is simple in construction, and can beused to open all varieties of cans. By its use the severedportion of themetal is not forced into the can, thereby displacing the contents. Amore firm bearing is had upon the top of the can, andthe strength of thetwo hands is most advantageously employed, that of the one in holdingthe metal and blade in their proper relative positions, and that of theother in making the out.

I am aware of the patent to A.V. M. Sprague, N 0. 153,391, July 21,1874; but the device described in said patent is not my invention, and Itherefore disclaim it.

Having thus described my in vention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Batenta, in combination with the handle a, terminating in theknife B, formed substantially as shown, the said handle a turning uponthe pivot (J, projecting from the end of the handle D, and operating ina-plane at right angles to the axis of said handle, substantially asherein described and shown.

E. M. BUROHARD. Witnesses:

4 W. E. TEW,

GEO. 0. WHITE.

The handle D, formed with the cutting-edge I

